After Saturday’s goalless draw in Buckinghamshire, Forest Green Rovers made sure to get the job done on home soil with a 5-0 win over Chesham United.
An early goal of the season contender from Bryan Ifeanyi gave Rovers the lead within ninety seconds before D’Mani Mellor tapped home to double FGR’s lead.
Freddie Sass, Kyle Kelly and Tate Campbell also got on the scoresheet as the hosts got back to winning ways in style under the lights.
It will be a repeat of last season’s Emirates FA Cup First Round as Rovers will now head to Kenilworth Road to take on Luton Town.
First Half
Chesham United got the replay underway, but it wasn’t long until FGR broke the deadlock.
After Saturday’s performance, it was always going to take something special to beat The Generals goalkeeper Ben Goode.
Ifeanyi did just that in the second minute as the Rovers winger picked out the top right corner with an unbelievable strike, a very early goal of the season contender for both Rovers and in the FA Cup.
That was the Forest Green’s number 18’s first goal for the club.
Rovers dominated the first ten minutes and could’ve easily been two to the good.
Tate Campbell and Nick Haughton both had efforts at goal, but neither could find the second as Rovers started the match with intent.
However, FGR only had to wait until the twelfth minute, as Mellor added a second by tapping in Kelvin Abrefa’s cross following a great passing team move.
Jonathan, Yan and Josh will certainly be delighted with how well their side started the game.
Sass joined Ifeanyi in netting his first for Rovers just after the 20-minute mark; Mellor did well to hold up play and set up Sass, who was clinical in putting the Gloucestershire side three-nil up.
After three goals in the first 25 minutes, the game settled down, but Rovers looked comfortable throughout and went in for half-time with one foot already in the first round.
Half Time - Forest Green Rovers 3-0 Chesham United
Second Half
After a dominant first 45, Rovers got the second half underway, while Chesham made three substitutions during the break.
FGR could’ve added a fourth five minutes in, but Mellor dragged his shot just wide after some great work by Haughton; Rovers definitely carried over the tempo from the first half.
The fourth came soon after, with substitute Kyle Kelly getting on the scoresheet just minutes after coming on to bag his first competitive goal at TNL.
Great play from the Liverpool loanee, who found the bottom corner after stealing the ball from the Chesham centre-half and cruising through the middle of the park.
Campbell added a fifth for Rovers with ten to play with a close-range finish past Goode in the visitors’ goal.
It was certainly a five-star display from Forest Green tonight.
Luke McNicholas, who had little to do all game, was called into action in the 84th minute but produced a fine save to preserve his clean sheet; the Rovers ‘keeper will have Abrefa to thank too, as the full-back pulled off an impressive goal-line clearance on the follow-up.
Haughton could’ve made it six at the death, but his effort just curled wide.
Five goals, five scorers and a clean sheet for McNicholas made it a perfect night in Nailsworth.
Rovers will take on the Hatters on the weekend commencing the 7th November, but before then there are three games in the league, including two in GL6 next week.
However, it’s a long trip to Cumbria next for Rovers, with FGR taking on Barrow this Saturday.
The coaching trio will certainly be hoping for more of the same at the Furness Building Society Stadium.
Full Time - Forest Green Rovers 5-0 Chesham United
The Teams
FGR - McNicholas, Abrefa, Mabete, McIntyre (Kircough 53’), Sass (Kengi 64’), Clarke (Kelly 53’), Campbell, McAllister (C) (Gbadehan 58’), Haughton, Mellor (Marquez 71’), Ifeanyi
Subs (Not Used) - Ross, Etaluku
Chesham United - Goode, Lacey, Young, Adebiyi (C) (Brown 83’), Adewunmi (Williams 46’), Andrews (Eze 46’), St Clair Burton, Lench, Babos (Bennetts 46’), Lafleur, Oliyide
Subs (Not Used) - Roberts, Weiss, Rasulu
Attendance - 529 (64 away)
